The Publication For Garage Professionals

ENGINEERING company Ricardo and the University of South Wales are to collaborate on an electric vehicle battery research and development project.

The West Sussex-based firm will team up with the university’s Centre for Automotive & Power System Engineering (Capse), with Ricardo gaining access to the institution’s facilities, as well as support from its major investment in battery systems.

In return, Capse will benefit from the company’s knowledge and experience of the challenges of both research and development programmes.

Capse already has national recognition for independent research, development, testing and in-house certification, while Ricardo is an international leader in the development of EV battery systems and works with a wide variety of car manufacturers.

Rory Fisher, managing director of Ricardo Automotive, said: ‘I am pleased to be able to sign this memorandum of understanding with the University of South Wales Centre for Automotive & Power System Engineering.

‘Ricardo is already a global leader in both vehicle electrification and the development and application of EV battery systems and technology. Capse is an important element of the UK’s electrified vehicle development capacity.

‘We look forward to collaborating with Capse for the mutual benefit of the university and of Ricardo and its electric vehicle customers.’

Jonathan Williams, director of Capse at USW, said: ‘Capse’s mission is to support businesses and other organisations to develop the next generation of low-carbon technologies and, in doing so, support the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities.

‘As a leading independent UK-based automotive and powertrain research and development organisation, Ricardo will bring valuable industrial experience of the development of electric vehicle systems, and we look forward to working with them.’

Pictured from left are Ricardo’s Adrian Greaney, Jonathan Williams and Professor Paul Harrison from the University of South Wales, and Richard Murphy of Ricardo